Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling device having two coupling parts and clamping means for releasably axially clamping both coupling parts. A plurality of circumferentially spaced non parallel grooves are cut into the surface of one of both coupling parts for having a reference in a plane perpendicular to the clamping direction. Pins project from the surface of the other coupling part each pin having two opposing parallel lateral surfaces for obtaining alignment of the grooves with the pins upon clamping. At least one of the lateral surfaces of each pin forms an angle with the associated flank of each groove upon axial alignment of the coupling parts. For improving the repeated precision of the positioning of one of the coupling parts relative to the other coupling part even upon high stress on one of the coupling parts in circumferential direction a clamping plate is provided between the lateral surface and the associated flank which is axially elastic and is mounted to one of the coupling parts.

Abstract: A levelling apparatus which comprises a lower part and an upper part which is mounted to the lower part and which may be adjusted with respect to the lower part. The lower part is provided with reference elements for its definite positioning, and the upper part is provided with mechanisms for mounting a workpieceholder for a workpiece which is to be worked on by a machine tool especially a wire erosion machine. For ensuring an improved positioning of the workpiece relative to the erosion wire at elevated pressures of the rinsing fluid, the lower side of the upper part has a first beam structure and the upper side of the lower part has a second beam structure which is complementary to the first beam structure such that the beams of the first beam structure extend between the beams of the second beam structure.

Abstract: A coupling device with two coupling members, which are to be connected coaxially together, and a tension rod, which penetrates the first coupling member and is to be coupled with the second coupling member. To minimize the effect of the cross forces on the positioning of the second coupling member, it is provided that the end, facing the head of the tension rod, penetrates into a passage borehole of the second coupling member with a radial clearance; and a connector, resting against a shoulder of the second coupling member, can be attached to the end, thus resulting in radial clearance between connector and second coupling member. Furthermore, a connector is described whose periphery has a contour, which prevents a turning action inside the coupling member, whereby the connector can also be moved in the coupling member and exhibits an axial contact surface, which is adequately small to enable a swivelling motion without generating a counteracting moment of flexion.

Abstract: Described is a coupling, provided at the spindle head of a machine tool, for clamping an especially plate-shaped work-holding fixture, for example a pallet, in a specified, repeatable and precise position relative to a spatial reference system, wherein the spindle head exhibits a collet, which can be moved axially and radially with respect to its face. To increase the accuracy when machining a workpiece, there is a plate, which is to be connected to the face and is provided with spatial references on the front side, and which has a central passage opening to receive a tension rod, connected to the backside of the work-holding fixture, and a bolt, whose front end can be coupled with the tension rod and whose rear end can be connected to the collet.

Abstract: A clamping system includes a workpiece machining head (1) having a coupling member (40), a mating coupling piece (90) and a drawbolt (30), a pressure-medium actuated clamping device (10, 15, 17, 19, 20) for the drawbolt (30) being provided on the workpiece machining head (1), the coupling member (40) having an axial reference axis (Z-axis) (50) and reference parts (42, 44, 46; 41, 43, 45), which are arranged at its end in a plane that is perpendicular to the reference axis and define a Z-reference for a first reference system, and the mating coupling piece (90) having at its end face mating reference parts (91, 93, 98; 95, 97, 99) for the first reference system. In order to make the clamping system universally usable, provision is made for the coupling member (40) to be surrounded by a coupling part (60), whose axis extends parallel to the reference axis (50) and which has reference elements (61, 63, 65, 67; 72, 74, 76, 78) which define a Z'-reference and are assigned to a second reference system.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a retaining plate for a machine tool work piece, where the machine tool is equipped with a tool, e.g. an erosion wire, that can be moved in th z-direction of a work area, and where the work area is bounded by an xy-plane that is perpendicular to the z-axis, and with a work table whose work surface is in a specific position relative to the xy-plane and which is arranged in the direction of movement of the tool.

Abstract: A retaining device has clamping elements arranged on a housing that act as detachable locking elements and can be radially displaced when a pressure member located in the housing is axially displaced. First and second pressure media can act upon the pressure member in the axial direction and the second pressure medium acts upon the pressure member in the opposite direction to the first pressure medium. The retaining device is considerably simplified in that two chambers which follow each other in the axial direction are designed in the housing and separated by a membrane anchored on the housing and having axially movable sections. The pressure member is joined to the membrane and at least one of the chambers can be connected to a pressure medium source.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven chuck for clamping and unclamping a tool holder of a machine tool, especially an electric discharge machine, said chuck including a mechanical clamp for clamping said tool holder, a first air chamber for receiving opening air for releasing said mechanical clamp, a second air chamber for receiving cleaning air to provide pneumatic clamping of said tool holder, and a release valve in pneumatic communication with said first and second air chambers to release cleaning air pressure from said second air chamber when opening air is provided to said first chamber. The pneumatically driven chuck may replace a spring driven chuck without any change in the control or in the program of the EDM.

Abstract: A coupling adapter (1) for positioning a tool (90) in a particular given position with high repetitive precision on a chuck (80) that can be activated by a medium for a machine tool. The chuck (80) is equipped with elements (52, 54, 82, 55, 57, 58) of a first holding system and the tool (90) with elements of a second holding system, with a pressure-medium source that is controlled by a central control device and connected to the chuck (80) through a first medium channel (81) provided in the machine tool. The coupling adapter (1) is provided on a first end face with counter-elements (52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58) of the first holding system and on a second end face (29) with counter-elements of the second holding system and has a device on the chuck (80) for clamping depending on the medium pressure and a holding device for the tool (90).

Abstract: A leveling device with which to orient a workpiece--or tool--affixing upper part relative to a lower part connected to it, the device having at least one adjusting screw of which the shank rotatably passes through the upper part and engages a thread in the lower part. To permit economical manufacture of the device without degradation in accuracy, the invention anchors the upper part in the lower part at a specified spring loading and at a spaced apart distance from the adjusting screw.

Abstract: A clamping device for a tool at a machine tool, particularly a die sinking electric discharge machine equipped with a chuck having two pairs of rails projecting from the underside of the chuck and arranged in a rectangular cross. The rails are provided with reference surfaces for adjusting the tool with respect to an x-direction and a y-direction relative to the machine tool, said directions extending transversely to a center line of the chuck. There are provided several posts projecting from the underside of the chuck, which are provided with reference surfaces at their free front surfaces which extend in the x-y-plane as defined by said directions. The rails are eccentric and offset angularly against each other and a tool holder is provided with a plane surface for abutting to the posts, into which two pairs of slots are cut which are in alignment with the rails and provided with elastic lips intended for abutment to the rails.

Abstract: A dowel-like device is described for locating a component (1) having a through-bore (33) relative to a reference part (2) provided with a bore (34), the through-bore and the bore having the same inside width. In order for the dowel to permit an accurate, repeatable positioning of the component on the reference part without loss of precision, it is provided with a cylindrical bushing (3), which is elastic in a radial direction at least over part of its length and is internally conical. A rotatable bolt (9) extending axially into the conical bushing section (4) is locked against movement in the axial direction and cooperates with a cone member (7) which extends into the conical bushing section, so that upon rotation of the bolt, the cone member moves axially, causing its exterior surface to push outwardly against the bushing. This expands the bushing into firm contact with the wall of the bores in the component and the reference part.

Abstract: A reference piece (30) for positioning a workpiece in a prescribed operational position, within the working zone (10) of a wire spark-erosion machine, relative to the cutting wire (8) of the machine, has associated with it at least one planar base reference surface (20, 22) formed on the mounting table (2) of the machine, outside the working zone, which base reference surface extends in an x-direction and in a y-direction perpendicular to the x-direction, and extends at the level, or in a plane, of the lower limit line (9) (base line) of the working zone with regard to a z-direction normal to the x- and y-directions.